Scotland goalscorer Steven Naismith admitted that he was going into last chance saloon as he took a late call-up to get into Gordon Strachan’s squad. The Hearts striker was asked to join up with Alex McLeish’s side after Oli McBurnie withdrew and the forward knew he had to make an impact.

“I’d felt I’d given myself as good a chance as possible of getting in the squad,” said Naismith. “I was left out but with the call-offs, the manager phoned and asked me to come in.

“When that happened, I thought, ‘I have to make an impression here or that’s me done, really’. So I worked hard during the week in training.

“If there was a point to be made and the manager wanted to know something, I told him what I thought.

“The manager gave me the opportunity, I was rewarded with a start and I made an impact.

“Was it my last chance? You never know. Circumstances can change.

“If I’d continued on the same way I started the season with Hearts, I would have put pressure on to get in the squad.

“I am just grateful to get a chance and be part of a young squad starting out - just like me 10 years ago.”